Smithpeters, Vols sign Ft. Wayne Big Man

Northrop's Sydney Curry recently signed his National Letter Of Intent to play basketball at John A. Logan College. Curry averaged 18.6 points per game and 12.4 rebounds per game. He led the state of Indiana in offensive rebounds his senior year.Rachel Von | The Journal Gazette

Continuing to make his front court a point of emphasis on both the offensive and defensive, John A. Logan College men's basketball coach Kyle Smithpeters recently signed 6-foot-8, 260-pound forward Sydney Curry to a National Letter of Intent Tuesday.

Curry played high school ball for Northrop in Fort Wayne, Indiana, where he averaged 18.6 points per game and 12.4 rebounds a game for the Bruins.

Getting a guy that has double-double potential every time he steps on the court is something that makes Smithpeters very excited.

"When you have a kid of that size and skill level -- he's an extremely skilled big man -- who can do a lot of things, its always going to be exciting. The big thing for us is his mobility and he fits the style of offense we play, where it's fast paced, a lot of moving and getting outside to hit shots. Sydney fits that mold extremely well.

"He's a very good player and just really adds to our recipe. I think it says a lot that he wants to come into our environment and help us achieve our goals. Our players did a fantastic job of recruiting him on his visit and our coaches were very valuable as well. When you have good people working that hard, good things are going to happen. We're very fortunate to make out with a very good basketball player and an even better kid."

Curry led the state of Indiana in offensive rebounds this past season and is the fifth signee for Smithpeters this offseason. Curry joins Missouri guard Isaiah Ervin, plus Eric Boone, a transfer guard from Tallahassee Community College, Murray State transfer and Hopkinsville, Ky., native Jalen Johnson and the Vols also signed Hopkinsville's 7-footer Jamarion Sharp.

"When you combine a player or any player with two guys like Jay Scrubb and Boone, you're going to be a problem, especially on the offensive end of the court," Smithpeters said. "Our coaching staff was instrumental in getting Sydney to campus and put in a lot of time recruiting him because we know just how valuable of a piece he can be for us."

Smithpeters still has two scholarships available and the Volunteers will begin their season on November 1st at Indian Hills.

Follow Sydney Curry on Twitter: @Bigticket_sc

Spyder Dann covers prep and college sports for the Southern Illinois Local Media News Group. Follow him on Twitter: @spydieshooter.